• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

Fearful Part 14: one better than 13!

Status
Not open for further replies.
#161
Go with two 15/6/1's, and add a switch for the mid/HF portion. Basically turns one into a sub.

smeet said:
Looking for input here, I already asked on the fEARful forum, but not getting much feedback there (yet?). I have a 15/6/1, and I want to add either another 15/6 or a 15sub. I was originally thinking a matched (reverse baffle) set of 15/6/1's is what I wanted.
What are the tradeoffs (sonic, physical, financial)? 15/6/1+15/6/1 vs. 15/6/1+15sub.
Click to expand...
 
#162
I am working with Don Barry to have a 15/6/1 built for me. Don informed me that the output of the mid is attenuated to match the level of the woofer. So I asked him to put in a switch to bypass the pad should I decide to add a 15 sub. This should give me the SPLs from the mid that will match the two 15's. Don says I will not get as much dispersion as I could with two 15/6's. On the other hand I would save about $350.
 
#163
monsterthompson said:
Ken, as one of the few to have been able to play both the Thunderchild and fEARful cabs, what can you tell us about how they compare and contrast. Obviously, you have played different size cabs, TC112 vs ff 15/6, and the TC doesn't use a mid driver. However, since both are similar in the overall target of having a flat hifi sound, I'd be interested in your impression.
Click to expand...

Well, I'm not Ken, but I do own a TC112AF and a 12/6cube/1 (and a 15/6/1, FWIW), so I can chime in a bit, if you don't mind.

Here's a snippet of a post I made back the Your favourite 112 thread:

"Yes, the fEARful cabs really are that good." I have said that to a lot of people over the course of the last several months, and I do believe it to be true. The 12/6 has amazing depth, and this is balanced by an extremely accurate and balanced midrange. I opted for the BMS compression driver and Dayton horn, and I am quite impressed with the high end as well. Bergantino and Audio Kinesis get the nod for a more smooth presentation, but the tweeter-equipped fEARfuls should do everything that you'd want a tweeter-equipped cab to do, and chances are they'll do it far better than most. The real fEARful magic, though, is in that deep, tight low end and the very revealing midrange. To my ears, the 12/6cube/1 seems to go notably deeper than the Flatwound, but I should have measurements to back this up shortly. I will have lots more to say about the fEARfuls (and the TC112AF) in issue #7, so I'll leave it at that, for now. :cool:

Speaking of which, not to steal too much thunder from Alan's review, but I do have to say that I'm a definite fan of Duke's TC112AF. In addition to being a top-tier speaker designer, Duke is also extremely accurate in the manner in which he describes the tone goals for his cabs. True, it's not the deepest cab out there, but it's got more sensitivity in the low mids, which means that it certainly feels/sounds big and full down low in a musical setting. Anyone who's played a Thunderchild will attest to the fact that they play out much bigger than their dimensions/weight would have you believe. And the transition from driver to horn really is something special. The smoothness of the upper mids to high end on the TC112AF is probably the best in the biz. Of course, there's lots more to love about this cab, but I gotta leave something for the review!
Click to expand...
 
#164
Here's another quote from an Acme thread:

+1 I've been having a fun time comparing the Flatwound, TC112AF, fEARful 12/6cube/1, Baer ML-112, and the Berg HT112ER. Some are more similar than others (on paper, at least), but they really do sound quite different from each other. The Baer cab seems like it's the most aggressive of the bunch in the upper mids (though if I leave the pad on the 18Sound 6" off - which is the setting to use if you add another sub - the 12/6cube/1 sounds fairly similar in the upper mids, but is bigger down low), and I love the weight & dimensions. I haven't broken this one in all the way, yet, but it seems to have great articulation and a hint of growl. The Flatwound is the warmest of the group (it will be interesting to add the Full Range to the mix, shortly), and it seems very even in its response throughout its usable frequency range. Duke's cab has that killer presence in the upper bass to lower mids, and a very smooth transition from upper mids to high end. And it's hella loud for such a tiny cab! The fEARful is big, deep, defined and clear, and is clearly the most "analytical" of the cabs, though it is still very full and rich. The Berg has a very impressive low end that is deep, big, full, but controlled, plus articulate, quick mids and that oh so sweet Bergantino high end (and it's also very smooth in the transition from driver to tweeter). Jim's cabs always manage to sound like "bass cabs," in a good way, too.
Click to expand...

I apologize for linking to other threads and mentioning other brands, but sometimes, I think it helps to put one product into context by comparing it to other products.

Let me say again that I really love my fEARfuls, and they are the real deal, IME/IMHO. :cool:
 
#167
CL400Peavey said:
Is that a 1212/6 flat pack kit or a 12 sub and 12/6 kit? If its a 1212/6 kit who is supplying it? I dont see one on Speakerhardware.com.
Click to expand...

Confusing, indeed. I asked politely, and Leland is making me a wood flatpack 12/12/6 kit. I plan to put it together & get it Line-X'd, and then order the speakers when my next paycheck arrives. :)

Patience and fiscal discipline are very difficult for me!
 
#168
I have had my fEARful 12/6-12/sub for almost a year now. The 12/6 for well over a year. I have used a RBI/DCM 600, GK 400RB-IV, GK 700RB-II, and now a BBE pre into a Carvin HD1500. In my signal chain I use a BDDI, VT bass, Oxford, boss Chorus, OCtave, and a EHX BMS. I have never really needed the 12/sub except for outdoor stuff. That was while playing in more of a blues band. I just started playing with a rock band (originals, Alice in Chain, Chickenfoot, Staind, etc) At the 1st practice the guitariat who played through (2) 4X12 cabs watched my wheel in my rig and set it in front of the practice space backline. (Ampeg 8X10) I could tell he thought my rig couldn't keep up by the look on his face. After the 1st song (Would? by AIC) He just smiles and said Holy Sh*T that cab has a kick.:D After the practice he told me that my rig sounded awesome! It wasn't quite at it's limits (close though)but it was louder than I have ever needed to be. Full punching low end, mids and highs were all there and just enough distortion to sizzle. Next practice the volume will go down, but I had to prove it would be by choice, not because my rig couldn't handle it. Sorry for the long post but wanted to let my fEARful brothers know even the smaller of the fEARfuls kick it out. :bassist::bassist: No more GAS for cabs (OK maybe a 1515/66 but that's it)
 
#175
tombowlus said:
Here's another quote from an Acme thread:



I apologize for linking to other threads and mentioning other brands, but sometimes, I think it helps to put one product into context by comparing it to other products.

Let me say again that I really love my fEARfuls, and they are the real deal, IME/IMHO. :cool:
Click to expand...
Tom, coming from you with so much varied cab experience, that statement says alot... you are the king of cabs! :cool:

Though I can't touch your numbers, I've been thru plenty of cabs myself, and my fEARful 15/6 and 12/6 has quenched all my GAS for cabs.
 
#178
domestique said:
Fair enough. Ken, when you get a chance to play the Streamliner in a mix would you mind commenting on how it sits? Many people have said they find the Streamliner getting lost in mixes. My fEARful experience is with my Shuttlemax 9.2 and I usually fatten it up with a VT bass Deluxe... but always wondered how the Streamliner would fair with a potent mid driver.
Click to expand...

I know you asked Ken, but I play a SL900 thru a 1515/66, and the bass is a P/J (G&L SB) w/flats. We use a little room recorder at gigs, nothin fancy, and don't worry where we put the recorder. Every post gig review is clear deep fat bass and I can hear every thing I do right or wrong.
Sometimes I will ask my guitar slinger bandleader if I am too loud. He just says," I f--- love it!"
Last gig we had 2 bands of his friends and former bandmates opening, plus another bass playing friend who stopped in just to listen. I got a lot of compliments from bass and guitar player perspective. Trust me it was the gear. I am an average player. It's a great combo for old school and blues. Can't comment on slap etc.
 
#179
tombowlus said:
That's not easy for me to do, but you're welcome. :D
Click to expand...

I am still interested in Ken's take on it. Particularly since he went composite. I'm still fighting the last of the 15/6 vs TC115 issues out in my head. I'm going with Mike, either way. TC115 form and 4ohm and port tuning has me thinking good things. However, fEARful has more exposure and no proprietary components, so repair issues seem easier down the road, and the modularity for expansion is attractive. I have no doubt they both sound amazing, though in slightly different ways.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back